Cruise Cancellation Policies: What To Know
Once upon a time, cruise line-initiated cancellations were uncommon (due to isolated causes such as bad weather, ship mechanical difficulties, or company bankruptcies), but in today’s age of coronavirus, this scenario is occurring more frequently than it ever has before.
If your cruise has been canceled, as many have been, the company may offer you a refund or the option to postpone your trip. These options are outlined in the company’s cancellation policy. If your trip hasn’t been canceled, but you’d still prefer to back out of a prospective ticket, you should be aware that the cancellation and rebooking procedures of many cruise companies have been substantially more permissive in recent years. Here is all the information you need to know about the particular cancellation policies that are in place for cruises during the COVID-19 epidemic, as well as the usual cancellation policies that you can anticipate at other times.
Cruise cancellations and coronavirus
In reaction to the hazards and restrictions associated with the coronavirus, a number of cruise lines, including big companies such as Princess, Norwegian, and Celebrity, have temporarily ceased operations across the globe. To the best of our knowledge, all shipping companies have suspended ocean-going departures from ports in the United States until at least April 11. Erika Richter, senior director of communications for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), a trade organisation, says, “As you can guess, the situation is constantly changing day to day, and even hour by hour.”
Given the fluid nature of the situation, passengers who have reservations for cruises departing within the next few months should be prepared for the chance that the cruise line would cancel their trips at the eleventh hour. In such a scenario, a representative from either your cruise line or travel agent will get in touch with you directly to discuss compensation. This may take the shape of a complete refund or a credit against a future voyage.
Be aware that many cruise lines have temporarily replaced their regular cancellation or postponement penalties with more flexible policies. If the cruise line hasn’t cancelled your trip but you’d still like to reschedule it, this is something you should know. Although the terms and conditions of each company are different, the majority of cruise lines now let passengers acquire a full cruise credit that can be used to a future sailing date at no additional cost; however, fewer companies are granting cash refunds.
According to Colleen McDaniel, editor in chief of the leading cruise review website Cruise Critic, “It’s worth noting that some lines are incentivizing the decision to rebook by offering some additional perks in the form of onboard credit—so you could be getting some added value if you decide to rebook your cruise.” “It’s worth noting that some lines are incentivizing the decision to rebook by offering some additional perks in the form If you choose to take this route, Cruise Critic recommends that you wait a few weeks before making your reservation, as cruise lines are now struggling to handle the current cancellations and get passengers returned safely to port from sailings that are still in process. Additionally, the website encourages users to have patience by mentioning that the processing of refunds may take up to ninety days or perhaps longer.
You don’t have to make a snap choice when it comes to sailings that are further in the future. You are able to take a wait-and-see approach because of these lenient policies, many of which permit cancellations up to 48 hours before the scheduled departure time. Before making any decisions, you should make it a point to read over the terms and conditions of your cruise company. According to McDaniel, “if the line ends up cancelling off your cruise as part of their suspending service, you could have more leeway in terms of compensation and a refund offering.” If the company ends up cancelling off your cruise as part of their suspending service. “However, that depends on the particulars of the line and the circumstance.”
Richter also recommends making use of the services of a reliable travel professional who will assist you in understanding the terms of your cruise’s cancellation policy and will argue on your behalf with the cruise line. She is quoted as saying, “There are so many unknowns right now as this situation continues to develop.” “Staying informed is the most critical step to take for travellers who are dedicated to remaining with their future journey,” says one travel expert.
Standard cruise cancellation policies
Remember that these more lax regulations will only be in effect for the foreseeable future. In the past, cruise lines had considerably more stringent policies regarding the cancellation and modification of reservations. For instance, if you cancelled your trip less than ninety days before it was scheduled to depart, you could anticipate losing at least a portion of your payment, and if you cancelled your trip less than a few weeks before it was scheduled to depart, you could lose the entire amount.
Before the outbreak of the coronavirus, the causes for cruise cancellations had a far more circumscribed range of possible outcomes. The occurrence of very severe weather was one of the possibilities. It is not always possible to make alternative plans, despite the fact that cruise lines are typically able to reroute ships in advance in the case that a hurricane or another large weather event is heading in their direction. In September, for instance, Hurricane Dorian compelled a number of cruise lines to cancel their regularly scheduled departures from ports in the state of Florida.
Other times, unforeseen mechanical or technical concerns can mean a ship is hazardous to sail. This was the case with three of Carnival Vista’s sailings from Galveston during the summer of 2017, which were cancelled owing to a glitch with the ship’s maximum cruising speed capabilities.
Under these conditions, passengers might anticipate the possibility of receiving a full refund or having their reservation replaced with one for an alternative sailing. Some cruise lines may go even farther by offering to reimburse the money spent on any travel arrangements that were made (such as non-refundable airline tickets or hotel reservations), in addition to providing additional vouchers that can be used for reduced or upgraded future cruises.
Although the specifics of individual cruise line contracts might vary widely, the vast majority of cruise lines that we spoke with confirmed that such rules are normally decided on a case-by-case basis. Every major cruise line adheres to the Passenger Bill of Rights established by the Cruise Line International Association. This document explains in clear language that passengers are entitled to a reimbursement in the event that their trip is cancelled due to a problem with the ship’s machinery. However, it is important to note that incidents that are caused by the weather are regarded as a force majeure and are not automatically covered; in these cases, the cruise line would decide whether or not to provide compensation. “Be sure to contact your travel agent if you used one,” McDaniel warns. When it comes to bargaining with the cruise line, having a reliable professional on your side who also has clout and connections in the business can be your best advocate.
How having travel insurance might be of assistance
Getting independent travel insurance is recommended as a best practise for all types of trips, but especially for cruises. It can assist cover your investment in the event that you have to cancel your trip or make an unforeseen adjustment, in addition to providing other coverages such as overseas medical insurance, trip interruption or delay benefits, and medical evacuation choices. In the event that your cruise is cancelled, travel insurance will not only reimburse you for the cost of your trip, but it will also reimburse you for any flights, hotels, or other pre-paid travel expenses that you incurred.
Standard policies, on the other hand, do not cover pandemic-related claims at this time due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. To accomplish this, you will need to invest in a more expensive and all-encompassing cancel for any reason coverage in order to guarantee at least some level of safety throughout your trip.
